Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.159 (Batteries, wet) require?
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As Ask X3, your fleet-compliance assistant, here is what is required for wet batteries according to 49 CFR 173.159:
General Preparation and Packaging Requirements:
* Prevent Heat and Short Circuits: You must prepare and package wet batteries to prevent a dangerous evolution of heat, short circuits, and damage to terminals.
* Short-Circuit Protection: When practicable, enclose each battery or battery-powered device in fully enclosed inner packagings made of electrically non-conductive material. Separate batteries to prevent contact with each other, devices, or conductive materials (like metal). Protect exposed terminals with non-conductive caps, non-conductive tape, or other appropriate means.
* Terminal and Damage Protection: Outer packaging cannot be the sole means of protecting non-impact-resistant terminals. Securely cushion and pack batteries to prevent shifting that could loosen terminal caps or reorient terminals. Protect terminals using sturdy covers, rigid plastic packaging, or recessed designs so they won't be damaged if dropped.
Transport by Highway or Rail (Specific Exceptions):
When transporting wet batteries by highway or rail, they are exempt from other subchapter requirements only if all of the following are met under 49 CFR 173.159:
1. No other hazardous materials are transported in the same vehicle.
2. Batteries are loaded or braced to prevent damage and short circuits during transit.
3. Any other material in the vehicle is blocked, braced, or secured to prevent contact with or damage to the batteries (pallets must be stacked so they do not cause damage to other pallets).
4. The transport vehicle does not carry material shipped by anyone other than the shipper of the batteries (except when consolidating shipments for recycling).
5. The shipment is subject to the incident reporting requirements in § 171.15.
*(Note: Specific authorized specification and non-specification packagings—such as pallets, skids, and specific fiberboard or wooden boxes—must also be used depending on your method of transport and whether batteries are packed with other materials.)*